Live Virtual Machine Snapshot Recovery Without Instance Reversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtualization systems lack efficient methods for secure live snapshot recovery of virtual machines, where data loss or corruption can occur without the ability to revert to previous snapshots without stopping the current instance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a hypervisor selects and creates a second virtual disk from a snapshot identifier, maps it to the virtual machine, and notifies the machine of its accessibility, allowing the virtual machine to access snapshot data without reverting the current instance, enabling recovery of lost or modified data while maintaining continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional snapshot recovery methods are used, then data can be recovered from snapshots, but the virtual machine instance must be stopped to revert to the snapshot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the snapshot recovery process into two independent operations: (1) creating a new virtual disk from the snapshot data, and (2) mounting this new virtual disk to the running virtual machine. This allows the VM to access snapshot data without reverting its state or stopping execution, thus resolving the contradiction between data recovery capability and system availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new virtual disk as an intermediary component between the snapshot storage and the virtual machine. This intermediary allows the VM to access snapshot data without directly reverting to the snapshot, enabling data recovery while maintaining continuous operation of the original virtual machine instance
2Reliability
If the virtual machine reverts to a snapshot, then data integrity is restored, but the current virtual machine instance is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating the new virtual disk from the snapshot data before the virtual machine needs to access it. This preparation is done while the VM is running, and then the pre-created virtual disk is mounted to the VM, allowing data integrity restoration without interrupting the VM's continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the virtual disk configuration dynamic by allowing the virtual machine to access multiple virtual disks simultaneously - the original first virtual disk for current operations and the new second virtual disk for snapshot data access. This dynamic configuration enables data integrity restoration while maintaining continuous operation
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for secure live virtual machine guest based snapshot recovery. A virtual machine sends a request to access a snapshot of a first virtual disk of the virtual machine including a snapshot identifier. A hypervisor selects the snapshot using the snapshot identifier and creates a second virtual disk using the snapshot. The hypervisor then maps the second virtual disk to the virtual machine and notifies the virtual machine that the snapshot on the second virtual disk is accessible. The virtual machine accesses the snapshot on the second virtual disk including retrieving snapshot data from the second virtual disk without reverting a current virtual machine instance on the first virtual disk to the snapshot on the second virtual disk.